Barry Trotz tears into his players as Predators continue to struggle


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Tom Banks
November 24, 2025  (3:20 PM)

Barry Trotz, GM of the Nashville Predators.

Photo credit: The Tennesseean

The Nashville Predators sit 32nd in the NHL standings, and after the horror start, General Manager Barry Trotz has torn into his players.

After a disappointing season in 2024/25, the Nashville Predators were internally hoping for a bounce back campaign this year, but through a quarter of the season, they’re getting worse and worse.

While the Predators have their good veterans core led by the likes of Filip Forsberg, Roman Josi and Juuse Saros, they simply don’t have the depth of talent or the young players coming through the organization that can impact winning at a high level.

Barry Trotz calls out the early season performance in Nashville

This poor performance may cost Head Coach Andrew Brunette his job, and he’s not the only one worried after their poor start to the year, with GM Barry Trotz calling the team out in a wide ranging interview with The Tennesseean.

Trotz called out those veterans specifically as well, stating that he needs more from his players before going on to name those players that haven’t been able to score like many around the league would expect.

I need more f***ing from them. I need more.

The confusing thing, the frustrating thing for everyone, is that we just don’t score. You look at the names on our roster, we should score more. Because we have (Filip) Forsberg, (Steven) Stamkos, (Jonathan) Marchessault, we all think we’re going to score.

Then, in a surprising move, he would go on to defend Head Coach Brunette, who has been drawing immense criticism from all over during the team’s poor start to the 2025/26 season.

I’m watching the game systematically. I know who makes mistakes. When the puck is on someone’s stick and they pass it right to (the other team), that’s not (Brunette’s) fault.

Ultimately, the Predators weren’t expected to do much this season, but internally it appears as though expectations were very high, and with Trotz now calling out players by name and defending their Head Coach, things could start to change soon in Nashville.

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Barry Trotz tears into his players as Predators continue to struggle

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